Setting Up Your First IRC Channel on IRC4Fun

Guides

So You Want Your Own IRC Channel?

Whether you're building a community, a project hub, or just a private hangout spot — setting up an IRC channel on IRC4Fun is fast and free. This guide walks you through everything from creating a channel to managing it like a pro.

Step 1: Connect and Register Your Nickname

Before you can register a channel, you need a registered nickname. If you haven't done that yet, follow our connection guide first. You must be identified with NickServ to register a channel.

/msg NickServ IDENTIFY YourPassword

Step 2: Create the Channel

Simply join a channel that doesn't exist yet — IRC will create it automatically and make you the operator:

/join #mychannel

You'll see yourself with the @ prefix, meaning you're a channel operator. But this is temporary — if you leave, you lose control. That's why you need to register it.

Step 3: Register with ChanServ

Registering claims permanent ownership of the channel:

/msg ChanServ REGISTER #mychannel

ChanServ will confirm the registration. From now on, ChanServ will automatically give you ops when you join (as long as you're identified with NickServ).

Step 4: Set a Channel Topic

Give your channel a description so people know what it's about:

/topic #mychannel Welcome to My Channel! | Rules: Be nice | Help: ask staff

To make ChanServ protect your topic (prevent others from changing it):

/msg ChanServ SET #mychannel TOPICLOCK ON

Step 5: Set Channel Modes

Channel modes control how your channel behaves. Some useful ones:

• /mode #mychannel +m — Moderated: only ops/voiced can speak
• /mode #mychannel +i — Invite only
• /mode #mychannel +s — Secret: hidden from channel lists
• /mode #mychannel +n — No external messages (default on most)
• /mode #mychannel +t — Only ops can change topic (recommended)

A good default for a public community channel:

/mode #mychannel +nt

Step 6: Add Trusted Users as Ops

Give trusted friends or moderators channel operator status using ChanServ's access list:

/msg ChanServ ACCESS #mychannel ADD friendnick 10

Access levels on IRC4Fun:

• 1-4: Voice access
• 5-9: Half-op access
• 10-39: Full op access
• 40+: Senior op / admin

To see your channel's access list:

/msg ChanServ ACCESS #mychannel LIST

Step 7: Set a Welcome Message (ENTRYMSG)

Greet users automatically when they join:

/msg ChanServ SET #mychannel ENTRYMSG Welcome to #mychannel! Please read the topic.

Step 8: Assign a BotServ Bot (Optional)

You can assign a network bot to your channel for automated features:

/msg BotServ BOTLIST

/msg BotServ ASSIGN #mychannel BotName

Useful ChanServ Commands Cheat Sheet

• /msg ChanServ INFO #channel — View channel info
• /msg ChanServ SET #channel GUARD ON — Keep ChanServ in channel
• /msg ChanServ SET #channel SECURE ON — Only identified users get auto-op
• /msg ChanServ KICK #channel nick reason — Kick a user
• /msg ChanServ BAN #channel nick reason — Ban a user
• /msg ChanServ UNBAN #channel nick — Remove a ban
• /msg ChanServ DROP #channel — Unregister channel (use with caution!)

Need Help?

If you run into any issues setting up your channel, our staff are always available in #help:

Join #help on IRC4Fun

Happy chatting — and welcome to channel ownership!